Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/43

Rh worldly-minded man, who sins, and is punished for his transgressions. The abscission of the left ear represents the decease of a beloved relation; the right, of a son or daughter; and the tail, of a wife. At last Death, that is Jonathan, transfixes the sinner himself. The heart here emblems the soul, which never would have transgressed had it retained its reason.

the reign of Pompey there lived a fair and amiable lady; and near to her residence dwelt a handsome and noble soldier. He was in the habit of visiting her frequently, and professed much honourable love. The soldier coming once to see her, observed a falcon upon her